Jordan Family: November 2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Yes, We are Still Alive!

Whew! I know some of you were sure that I'd never do this again, but here I am! We have been so busy that it's hard to know where to begin. I started coaching the Colorguard back in mid-May and since then our life has been crazy!

In June, I took Miri with me to a 4-day long band camp with the high school kids while Ella and Brock split their time between Chad and my mom. Almost right after band camp, we headed off to CA to see my sister Brittany and Mark get married in the LA temple and visit with some other family down there.

On our way back, we stopped in Vegas and took the kids to see the Knights At the Round Table show, which they all LOVED! Miri even had her moment in the spotlight (literally!) as Merlin came over and commented on how cute she was. Chad and I were pretty proud to have the spotlight on our baby girl and hear the entire arena give her an, "Awwwww!"

We had two parades in July that Brock and Miri marched in with me (more like rode in the stroller) lots of practice in August, and then Ella headed off to first grade! Going to school all day was challenging at first, but at this point she is doing well, constantly coming home with fun stories to share with us. During my practices during the schoolday, Brock and Miri sometimes went to a baby-sitter's house, stayed home with daddy, and even tagging along with me. They have put up with so much over the last few months, and have been great about it!

A big thank you to all of our family members and friends who have helped out with babysitting as I have been at various shows and especially a big thank you to Chad for taking 4 days off of work to stay home with the kids, while I went down to St. George with my students. By the last day, I was MORE than ready to come home.

Having to fight the urge to steal some stranger's child was proof that I was going through withdrawls!

As for our family, everyone is doing great! Ella is enjoying first grade, learning how to read, and looks forward to girl scouts every week.

Brock enjoys walking to the bus-stop with me and he just lights up when he sees the school bus come around the corner! Miri is crawling everywhere and getting into everything! She helped herself to my wallet, Brock's sandwhich, and even dove into Moby Dick the other day. Chad was asked to take a class with his company in Salt Lake a few weeks ago and he was really excited to get to meet the CEO of the company as well as one of the founders. We had fun on Halloween, taking our little Leia, Obi-Wan, and Ewok out. For now, we are all looking forward to a relaxing Holiday season at home this year!

"Ella-isms"

Me, "How did your window break?" Ella, "I was trying to show my friends how strong my head is." Me, "I see. And what were your friends doing?" Ella, "Hiding their eyes. They knew it was going to end badly."
Ella, "How about this mom, I'll share my bouncy ball with Miri and then you can give me your twix bar." Me, "Hmmmm. I'm not sure how this works out for me."
Ella, "Mom, why do we have to get up so early?" Me, "Because if we don't, you'll be late for school." Response, "That's fine with me!"
While on a marching band trip with me, but sitting in the back with some of the bigger kids, "MOM! Kaitlyn has to go potty! I think she needs a jar!" And then the whole bus errupts into laughter and I hide my face in shame.
While getting ready to go out with Chad on our date night, Ella requested that one of our topics of discussion include having more children. But a girl of course, not a boy.
"Mom, Dad doesn't have to do what you say. He has to do what I say because I've known him longer. So I win."
We were babysitting for some friends and their son, Lucas, kept running over to Ella and giving her giant hugs. We would laugh ever time and finally I said, "Wow! He must really love you!" Ella just shrugged and said, "I'm just really good with kids!"
Ella: "Mom, how old were you when Dad took you to prom?" Me: "Um, dad didn't take me to his prom since I was only 7 when he went to his prom." Ella: "Wow. He's old."
I walk into my and Chad's room and I see Ella taping a drawing up on our closet door. So I ask, "What are you doing?" And the reply, "Posting a no-kissing sign. This is a no-kissing zone."
Me: "It's good for you to see mom and dad kiss every now and then. It assures you that we love each other, gives you a sense of security, and-" Ella: "Yeah, it assures me I'm going to be sick!"

Brock 'n Roll Hall of Fame

Brock, "Rawr! Were you scared? Tell me honestly."
You know those moms who avoid meeting your eye in the grocery store several days after halloween because her kid is still wearing his halloween costume? Yeah, that was me with a mini Buzz lightyear helping me shop.
Brock, "Buzz Yight-year ah-da rescue!"
Trying to climb on daddy or mommy's back. "Horsey ride! Horsey ride!"
Me, "Brock, lunch time!" Brock, "No!" Me, "All right then, go lay down for your nap." Brock, running for the kitchen table, "Okay! I'm coming mom!"
While dancing, "Get down on the floor!"
Brock, in a very warning voice, "Miri! No! I said no!"
He loves to play peek-a-boo with Miri! And Miri cracks up every time!
"Look Mom! I dancin! I dancin!"
When in his room for a nap or bed, if he hears the front door open at all, her goes over to his desk, climbs on top, and pokes his head underneath the blinds so that he can observe any possible comings and goings.
When he decides that his sisters are having way too much fun without him, Brock will carefully approach, get as close to them as possible and shout as loud as he can, "GUYS!!!!!!"